An editorial published March 31, 2013 in The Times of Trenton aimed to confer well-deserved praise on Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton, as it marked its 100th anniversary this year. But to underscore the good work that Catholic Charities does, The Times’ editorial board chose to draw a contrast with much of the rest of the Church, which it described in scathing terms:

Over the last decade or so, much of the news about the Catholic Church has been of the ugliest and most damning kind. Throughout the world, the highest echelons have been found to be riddled with hypocrisy. Scandal after scandal has revealed predatory priests who assaulted the innocence of children left in their keeping. Once sacrosanct church leaders have been pilloried and scorned.

While we wouldn’t seek to deny that the Church has had more than its share of negative and scandalous news over these past 10-12 years, what we take great exception to is the assertion of these editorial writers that – with the rare exceptions of Catholic Chari­ties and Pope Francis – the rest of the Church labors under a dark cloud of scandal, hypocrisy, sin and unlawful acts.

This position expressed by The Times says a lot more about its own reporting policies and practices, and those of its mainstream counterparts, than it does about the Church, or the priests, deacons, religious and laypersons who bring the Gospel to life day in and day out. It is an acknowledgement by this news organization of the unfortunate reality that it helps to create by chronically and systemically missing much of the good news that makes the Catholic Church the vibrant manifestation of a loving God and his people.

We have only to take a look around us at Mass to see abundant examples of the good news coming out of the Church. There are the countless men and women who give of themselves so generously to help others, taking Communion to the sick, staffing food pantries, running fundraisers for families in need, and assisting the elderly with work in their homes.

The recent celebration of the 200th anniversary of Blessed Frederic Ozanam, founder of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, reminds us of the hundreds, if not thousands of Catholics across our four counties who help the poor through their parish conferences. (See story on page 3).

We might question why there are so few, if any, “good news” articles written about the nearly 5,000 persons who are engaged in the catechetical ministry in the diocese. These are folks, mostly volunteer, teaching children, teens and prospective new Catholics about the saving love of our Lord, Jesus Christ, giving them the basis of the faith that will guide them and support them the rest of their days. (See related story on page 5.)

While we see plenty of coverage in the secular media when an announcement is made that a Catholic school is closing, where are all the stories about the schools that remain open, creating communities of learning, love and faith development. And what about the exemplary students who populate these esteemed institutions and the good works that they do in their parishes and wider communities?

For that matter, where are the stories about parish and diocesan based programs to help those who are grieving, those who are facing life-changing transitions, those who give youths a safe place to play sports and grow in sportsmanship, self-respect and maturity?

And then there are all the folks who have dedicated their lives to serving the Lord as religious sisters and brothers, deacons and priests.

Surely there is plenty of news worth reporting by the media that offers a more balanced, and, dare we say it, even inspirational perspective.

Might we suggest stories about priests who sit with families in the hospital as they have to say goodbye to their precious loved one in the final moments of life, or those who compassionately listen to the heartbreaking stories from parishioners struggling with addiction, unemployment, depression, divorce and a loss of their faith.

In truth, the good news coming out of the Church is limitless, but fails to be recognized by news organizations that have little respect or understanding of it. Yes, Pope Francis and certainly, Catholic Charities are examples of some of the best news the Church has to offer. But that’s only the tip of the iceberg.

We should all call the media to accountability when they publish uninformed and unfair statements like the one referenced above, and challenge them to discover what takes place every day in our Church …. The good news of people of faith who seek only to serve others in God’s name.

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